Paramedics back on job; Ontario Works office reopens in Winchester

Cornwall City Council has ratified agreements with CUPE, ending the paramedic strike.

June 12, 2018

WINCHESTER — Paramedics and other City of Cornwall employees — who also provide key services into the surrounding United Counties of SDG — are back at work after city council ratified agreements yesterday with four involved locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

The resumption of service follows a three-week strike that saw the closure of the Winchester ‘Ontario Works’ (social and housing) satellite office and the curtailing of ambulances on the road to bare “essential service” levels.

The Winchester office has re-opened and paramedics are back up to a full complement. Residents of the United Counties had been advised not to call for ambulances except when absolutely necessary, during the strike.

The provincial government mandates the city as “service provider” to the counties on ambulances, social services (welfare) and public housing, leaving negotiations with the union in the hands of Cornwall City Hall exclusively.

Employees internal to city operations were also off the job but have now returned to their posts. That means no more parking at expired meters without risk of being ticketed in the city. Richelieu Day Care has also re-opened as has the Cornwall Aquatic Centre.

The Cornwall Public Library Board has also ratified the agreement to resume opening hours at the city library.

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